Mr. Ishida Hidenori was intrigued when he learned about the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program during his first year as a teacher, because he teaches English but initially thought of teaching Japanese. He states, “This is a program to teach the beauty of Japanese language in English, so I thought this program will make my dream come true.”

Years passed with application in his hand. Mr. Ishida was worried about the inconveniences that he may cause if he took a sabbatical from work. However, at the same time, the eligibility of the FLTA Program was always in his mind: “Welcomes teaching experiences with 7 years or less.” After teaching for 7 years, he thought it would be his last chance to apply. “My colleagues said that I would be a good leading example for students if I took on a new challenge. They encouraged me to apply.” Thus, he took the chance.

At Northeastern State University, Mr. Ishida’s U.S. affiliation, he was responsible for teaching Japanese class for beginners. He was originally going to teach for 2 terms, but was only able to do so for a term due to the pandemic. For his students to experience Japanese culture despite the shortened time frame, he used various tools that he brought from Japan, such as origami, chopsticks, calligraphy sets and more. He says, “It was unfortunate that I only taught a term only, yet I am glad to hear that there are still many students continuing to learn Japanese.”

In the community around Northeastern State University, there are many people with Native American roots. He recalls, “I took classes on Native American culture and visited a museum nearby. Learning about diverse cultures and backgrounds had a big impact on me, and it made me realize how narrow my view of the United States was.”

He feels that it is his responsibility to share his experience for the benefits of his students. “For a long time, I have been trying to use textbooks to help students learn, think, and communicate about what they learned; to learn the contents, and not only the English language itself. Having experienced real English communication, it has become easier for me to present myself as a leading example, and convey the importance of learning both the language and its contents.”

There was much to learn, although uncertain at first. Mr. Ishida concludes, “Choosing study abroad may create inconveniences at work, but you will be able to contribute much more with the experiences that you bring back. I hope that others will take the plunge too."